I'm NOT a chicken... but my chicks think I am

[Aunt Angus]

I got three bantam chicks at a feed store about a month ago after having a bad experience losing mail ordered chicks. I have 2 Silkies and a Sebright. They are in a brooder fashioned from a small animal cage. I use a DIY MHP made from welded wire and a heating pad. All is well, and the little darlings are thriving.

So I think they've imprinted on me. They do fine during the day, but they peep like CRAZY at night and won't quiet down until I pick them up. It hasn't really been a problem. I'd just scoop them up and have them sit on my lap on a towel for a bit, and then put them away. But they are getting jumpy, and I don't trust my dog.

Any advice on how to proceed? Im not sure how long I can do this. They are 4 weeks old. How long until they become a bit more independent?

This kind of reminds me of my younger son who, as an infant, never let me set him down....

TIA!

 

[Sagey_7878]

Best way to stop them is to stop yourself from when they peep crazy. Let them peep, and as annoying as it’ll get, they eventually stop and get tired. Keep doing this for a few days and they’ll stop! Good luck!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Best way to stop them is to stop yourself from when they peep crazy. Let them peep, and as annoying as it’ll get, they eventually stop and get tired. Keep doing this for a few days and they’ll stop! Good luck!

That was my initial thought. Then I thought the stress might cause them harm. I will try it tomorrow and see how it goes. They are already sleeping on my lap as I type...

 

[Sagey_7878]

That was my initial thought. Then I thought the stress might cause them harm. I will try it tomorrow and see how it goes. They are already sleeping on my lap as I type...

Hahaha how cute! They’ve definitely imprinted on you but they will stop once you stop giving them attention. I’ve had chicks with a mother hen (and they obviously imprinted on her) but then the mother hen decided the chicks no longer needed her and for the first few nights they were chirping but eventually stopped and enjoyed being without their mama.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Are you sure they aren't cold? Probably they're just looking for their mama, i.e. you, but they might need more warmth at night than they're getting.

 

[Sagey_7878]

Are you sure they aren't cold? Probably they're just looking for their mama, i.e. you, but they might need more warmth at night than they're getting.

Thought about this, but they’re 4 weeks old and soon they will be fully feathered, so I don’t think it’d be that they’re cold.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'll check the MHP temp with a thermometer when I put them to bed. On the high setting, it measured around 96. It's on the medium setting now since they have a lot of feathers. But it's worth a look.

Yes, it's cute, and I wouldn't mind if it weren't for the dog. If they end up on the floor, she might hurt them. She is great with the big girls, but she gets excited around the chicks.

 

[Essentiallyokanaganmom]

Is it dark enough where they are? We used a heat lamp and I found they really didn't sleep at night when the lamp was on, also with sun setting so late they really really dont like being put to bed before 10pm now that they are out in the coop and off heat.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Is it dark enough where they are? We used a heat lamp and I found they really didn't sleep at night when the lamp was on, also with sun setting so late they really really dont like being put to bed before 10pm now that they are out in the coop and off heat.

I think so. I put a blanket over the brooder. I don't use a lamp, so I can get away with it. They are in my dining room (we don't eat in there - LOL), so I turn off alm the lights. Maybe I'll try a darker cover tonight. And I checked the temp. 89.7° on the heating pad's medium setting. I think I'll turn it down today. They are almost feathered now, so it should be fine.

I'll let y'all know how it goes tonight.

 

[animallover2019]

I got three bantam chicks at a feed store about a month ago after having a bad experience losing mail ordered chicks. I have 2 Silkies and a Sebright. They are in a brooder fashioned from a small animal cage. I use a DIY MHP made from welded wire and a heating pad. All is well, and the little darlings are thriving.

So I think they've imprinted on me. They do fine during the day, but they peep like CRAZY at night and won't quiet down until I pick them up. It hasn't really been a problem. I'd just scoop them up and have them sit on my lap on a towel for a bit, and then put them away. But they are getting jumpy, and I don't trust my dog.

Any advice on how to proceed? Im not sure how long I can do this. They are 4 weeks old. How long until they become a bit more independent?

This kind of reminds me of my younger son who, as an infant, never let me set him down....

TIA!

mine started being more independent about 3 weeks......but letting them peep and ignoring them when they do should eventually quiet them down, even though it will be annoying and make you wanna cry lol